Bees back at Brixton garage following green-fingered Roy’s gardening efforts

At Arriva London, we are always looking for ways to improve our environmental footprint, and are excited when our staff suggest ways in which they can also contribute to this aim. So, when Roy Heath, who has been based at Brixton garage for 44 years, volunteered to turn the front of the garage into a flower garden, we were delighted.

Roy joined the engineering team four years ago after 40 years as a driver. "This is my second home – I spend more time here than anywhere else and I didn’t like seeing the area at the front of the garage looking uncared for," explained Roy.

"I asked the manager if I could do something and volunteered my services. When I was a driver, I wouldn't have had time to do it, but now I get a few quiet periods between engineering jobs and that’s when I work on the garden.

"I love gardening, and over the years have got my garden at home in good shape, so I thought why not do the same at the garage, and it’s great to see bees again on the plants in such a busy area."

Roy brought some plants, including dahlias, from home and got some other bits and pieces such as fertiliser and peat and just got digging.

"I really enjoy planting and seeing the plants grow," continued Roy. "I started late this year, but next year I’ll start earlier and it really will be something worth looking at.

"I was born in Jamaica where my grandfather used to farm and plant flowers and vegetables at home, so it’s in my blood."

And what do his colleagues and the drivers think? "They love it. Everyone likes it and they have suggested we get a bench to put in the middle, so they can sit and enjoy the garden when the sun comes out."

This year’s Open City once again provided a thoroughly enjoyable and imaginative Mystery Architour, with the Arriva London historic Heritage Fleet bus RM 2217, itself an iconic piece of design, transporting the lucky ballot winners on a trip in London from Russell Square to Stratford, taking in St. Pancras, Kings Cross and the Boundary Gardens at Arnold Circus.